Marching to War

Just then, the fat stallholder felt his arm go numb, and his stick fell to the ground. Before he could react, copper coins came clattering down in front of him.

Wenlong had finally been unable to hold back. He knocked the stick from the fat stallholder's hand, then tossed him several dozen copper coins.

The fat stallholder was delighted and hurriedly gathered the coins. "Use the rest to give them some buns," Wenlong called out.

After collecting the coins, the fat stallholder nodded and bowed to Wenlong on the second floor, agreed, and went to fetch the buns.

Wenlong tossed another few dozen copper coins in front of the boy. "Go find a doctor and have yourself examined." With a sigh, he sat back down on the wooden stool and stopped looking.

By then, the waiter had set their dishes on the table.

None of the four spoke again. They ate in silence. Shitou and the others had also witnessed what had just happened, and all of them felt downcast.

They hastily finished their meal, paid at the counter, and walked out of the tavern.

The two youngsters they had seen earlier spotted Wenlong and the others coming out and dropped to their knees together, thanking Wenlong over and over.

Wenlong could not bear to accept such a gesture and quickly helped them up. "It's all right now. Go back and find a doctor to examine you."

"Benefactors, please take this little girl in. If she stays with us, she'll starve to death sooner or later. Please, I beg you." The boy's face was full of pleading, and blood still trickled from the corner of his mouth.

The four exchanged looks. In the end, Wenlong could not harden his heart and asked, "Is she your own little sister? How did you end up here?"

The boy said, "She isn't my own sister. Her mother passed away not long ago. We're grateful to her mother for always looking after us, and now we want to find her a way to survive."

At least they know gratitude. Wenlong glanced back at Wenzhu, who nodded. "All right, then. Hurry along and see a doctor."

"Brother Xiao Tie, you must come visit me." The little girl knew she would have enough to eat with Wenlong and the others, yet she was reluctant to part with the young beggar.

Watching several little beggars support the boy as he walked away, Wenlong felt a heavy weight in his heart. After giving the boy a few more pieces of silver, he felt that this was all he could do.

His own Lineage was still being hunted, after all. He felt that no one had it any easier than anyone else.

Wenzhu held the little girl's hand, and the four felt even more weighed down. "Let's not dwell on that anymore. The New Year is coming. Let's buy some supplies for the celebrations."

They bought plenty of cloth, snacks, and meat at the market. In a small alley, Wenlong turned away and put everything they had bought into his space.

Only then did they leave through the city gates, satisfied with their purchases. Before long, their two uncles finished delivering the grain and met them outside the gates.

Their two uncles were delighted, having completed the grain deliveries without a hitch. Every household had been overjoyed to receive the grain and had warmly urged them to stay and share news of their relatives.

Wenlong also explained the little girl's circumstances to his two uncles, and they all set off for home together.

Along the way, the little girl clung tightly to Wenzhu's hand, her eyes full of unease and timidity. Wenzhu and Wenye gently comforted her, telling her amusing stories as they traveled.

When they finally returned to the village, the clanspeople were all craning their necks in anticipation, hoping they would return safely and eager for news of their relatives back in their maiden homes.

Seeing everyone return safely, they happily gathered around the two uncles, plying them with questions.

Long'er's mother noticed the little girl among them. After asking what had happened, she felt sorry for the child's plight and took her in as an adopted daughter, learning that her name was Little Flower.

Long'er's mother was delighted to have gained a daughter. Though she had several nieces, a daughter was a daughter, after all, and she could not stop smiling.

News also came from Shitou. This time, the people from the Kai were traveling in groups, and considerably more of them were coming out than before.

In the meeting hall, Wenlong said coldly, "However many come, we'll capture them all. Anyone who dares resist will be put to death. Seventh Uncle, forge more shackles and fetters. They'll work for me until they die."

Everyone excitedly slapped the table. "This time, everyone who can draw a bow and nock an arrow will go out. We'll weaken them further," Clan Chief Wen Tiancheng said fiercely.

The next morning, red strips of cloth were hung before the Ancestral Hall. Even the entrance to the Grandmother Shrine Hall was adorned with red cloth strips.

They signified that the Lineage's loved ones were marching to war. Long'er's mother and the aunts who would remain behind tied red strips around the arms of every clansperson heading out.

After paying their respects at the Grandmother Shrine, the clanspeople who were marching to war went to the Ancestral Hall.

Everyone knelt, and Long'er's mother called out sternly, "The Clan Chief will offer incense, candles, and wine to the ancestors on everyone's behalf."

Normally, everyone would have offered incense, candles, and wine. With their present circumstances making that impossible, the Clan Chief had to do it on their behalf.

Wen Tiancheng took the three prepared incense sticks, bowed three times, and planted them in the incense burner. Then he offered three cups of wine, pouring them onto the ground.

Long'er's mother called out again, "Today, our clanspeople go into battle to avenge our wrongs. May the ancestors protect us. Bow to the ancestors and kowtow three times. The rites are complete. Rise."

Then three rounds of drumming sounded. Long'er's mother raised the Scepter her grandmother had left her, the symbol of her standing as the Lineage's Matriarch, and shouted, "May the ancestors protect us! To battle! To battle! To battle!"

The clanspeople marching to war raised their weapons and answered loudly, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

The village gates were already open. Wen Tiancheng took the lead and raced out. Behind him, Long'er's mother called, "May our ancestors protect us! May our Lineage's warriors be invincible in battle!"

The clanspeople rushed through the gates in turn. The six aunts joining the expedition carried powerful bows on their backs and broadswords at their waists as they boarded the carriage.

Shitou had also chosen ten youngsters over the age of ten. Bringing their preferred weapons and powerful bows, they boarded the carriage to set off together.

Wenlong climbed aboard as well. A young voice rang out behind him. "Big brother, come back soon. Little Flower will be waiting for you."

Little Flower knew Wenlong was kind to her and to Brother Xiao Tie. Brother Wen had to be a good person.

Wenlong did not answer. He raised his hand and waved, not daring to look back for fear of seeing his mother's tears.

Indeed, Long'er's mother was crying. With the clanspeople marching to war that day, she dared not weep aloud for fear it would bring bad luck, but she could not stop her tears from flowing.

She stood on the steps, tightly gripping the inherited Scepter that symbolized authority within the Lineage. Without moving, she stared after the departing expedition.

Only when Little Flower came over did she stir. The girl took her hand and said, "Mother, big brother is very strong. He'll definitely come home victorious."

Long'er's mother smiled and scooped Little Flower into her arms. "Yes, big brother will definitely come home victorious."

The twenty-six clanspeople made their way straight toward the Ambush Site in an imposing procession.

"Brother Shitou, look after our brothers and sisters. Wenzhu and I will scout ahead." With that, Wenlong sprang away. Wenzhu also used her lightness skill to leap from the carriage.

As Wenlong passed his father, he pointed ahead. Wen Tiancheng understood that he was going to scout and nodded.

Fang Tiancheng swept his large hand through the air, signaling everyone to slow down. He did not want the clanspeople to confront the enemy head-on-not because they lacked courage, but because they could not afford the losses.

Wenlong and Wenzhu flitted through the mountain forest like phantoms without making the slightest sound, a clear sign that their lightness skills had already reached a very high level.

The two had just reached the ambush site when a rider appeared in the distance, followed by a carriage. Judging by his clothes, he was indeed one of the Kai.

It looks like the Kai don't have many horses left either. There are probably six people. Wenlong was confident that he and Wenzhu could capture them together.

"Eldest sister, I'll lure them out of the carriage. Strike their Sleep Acupoints with hidden weapons. Let's try to capture them alive." With that, Wenlong covered his face with a cloth and darted out.